Millions of us play the lottery every week in the hopes of one day seeing seven figures in our bank accounts. But for some people that dream is a reality. While you may think the rich and famous stick to the poshest parts of West London – which may be partially true – many looking for a quieter life have seemingly made their way to Dorset.
One particular peninsula known as a millionaire’s playground has made a name for itself as housing footballers and rock stars alike. With former residents including John Lennon, Liam Gallagher as well as Harry and Jamie Redknapp, many of the wealthiest in the UK call Sandbanks home. But with the average home in the seaside resort sitting a smidge under £1.3 million, it has become the only seaside spot in the country where average prices have broken through the £1 million mark, according to Rightmove data.
Even though property values have eased slightly, starting to drop a few per cent from a few years ago, Sandbanks remain firmly at the top of coastal property rankings and among the very top of anywhere outside swanky London townhouses.
If you’re splashing millions on a home overlooking the sea, there are certain things you’d come to expect: a king-sized bed, a few en-suites, maybe even a hot tub, but after a recent visit, it seems that the residents are lacking even one of the most basic things: privacy.
TikTok influencer Phil Carr decided to visit the Dorset destination to see what all the hype was about, but was left shocked at what he found.
Posting to social media, he said: “You know this place is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the country. It’s infamous for how exclusive it is to live here, and only the most successful people ever will.”
He added: “Surely for millions of pounds you get some privacy? Well, not in the slightest. There’s a massive car park for the beach. An open-top bus full of tourists peering through your window every hour.”
But that’s not the only problem for Sandbanks locals. During the summer months, thousands of tourists and visitors cram onto the ferry.
Phil added: “The biggest pain is the ferry at the end of Sandbanks. Through the summer months, the residents here pay millions of pounds to just live in a traffic jam.
“It is absolutely beautiful, but the constant through traffic to the ferry would do my head in.”
But the lack of privacy and constant traffic isn’t enough to put certain people off, with property prices here still outstandingly high. In March, a single waterside bungalow sold for a huge £13.5million on the Sandbanks peninsula, while a tiny bungalow first bought for £5,000 is currently listed at an eye-watering £1.5million.
